Secure lottery ticket and method of operating raffle

ABSTRACT

A security device is used to protect the number or numbers disposed on a raffle or pool ticket. The security device prevents the numbers from being viewed until the owner of the ticket or the operator of the game need to reveal the number. In one embodiment, a lottery ticket has first and second portions with related numbers printed on the portions. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a raffle using raffle tickets having security devices wherein the winning raffle tickets are drawn before the tickets are sold. Another embodiment of the invention provides a pool ticket having at least one number covered by a security device that prevents the number from being viewed until the security device is removed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELTED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patentapplications 60/550,083 filed Jun. 3, 2004, 60/555,244 filed Mar. 22,2004, and 60/573,122 filed May 21, 2004; the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to lottery tickets and, moreparticularly, to raffle and pool tickets wherein the ticket numbers arehidden from view by a security feature that prevents the numbers frombeing seen until the security feature is removed. The invention alsorelates to a method of operating a raffle using the secure raffleticket.

2. Background Information

One type of a lottery is a raffle wherein participants purchase raffletickets. A typical raffle ticket has two parts with identical rafflenumbers printed on each part of the ticket. When the participantpurchases the raffle ticket, the ticket is divided into its first andsecond parts with the participant keeping the first part and the sponsorof the raffle keeping the second part. The raffle sponsor typicallyplaces all of the second parts into a container where the second partsare randomly mixed. A ticket is then drawn from the randomly mixedcollection of second parts to determine which participant wins a prizeor is eliminated from the drawing.

Some participants have expressed concerns about the randomness of theticket mix. Other participants express concern about whether the persondrawing the tickets can select certain tickets by viewing the numbers onthe tickets while reaching into the container to draw a ticket. There isthus a desire in the art for a lottery ticket that hides its number sothat there is no appearance of impropriety when the person is drawingthe lottery ticket out of the randomly mixed group of tickets.

Another type of a lottery is a pool wherein participants purchasenumbers that are related to an event such as a ball game, a race, or thelike. Such pools are often used at charitable events as an effectivemeans to raise money. When the pool is a race or a golf event, a singlenumber representing a single participant is purchased. When two teamsare competing, the player purchases two numbers that may indicate theteam points or the last digit of the points scored per quarter or half.For example, a player in a football pool purchases two numbers thatrepresent the last digit in the scores for the team in each quarter.Prizes are awarded if the teams' score matches the numbers purchased bythe player. Numbers are purchased by picking numbers from a fixedallotment such that the player knows what numbers he is receiving. Thepresent invention relates to the method of purchasing numbers through arandom system wherein the player purchases a ticket or the right to drawa ticket from a pool of tickets. Some participants express concern aboutwhether the person drawing the tickets can select certain tickets byviewing the numbers on the tickets while reaching into the container todraw a ticket. Obviously, certain numbers are more desirable than othersbased on the sport being used to score the game. There is thus a desirein the art for a pool ticket that hides its number so that there is noappearance of impropriety when the person is drawing the pool ticket outof the randomly mixed group of tickets.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One characteristic of the present invention is the use of a securitydevice to protect the number or numbers disposed on a raffle or poolticket.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a lottery ticket having firstand second portions with related numbers printed on each of the firstand second portions. At least the number on the second portion of theticket that is kept by the sponsor of the lottery is covered by asecurity device that prevents the number from being viewed until thesecurity device is removed.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for operating a raffleusing raffle tickets having security devices wherein the winning raffletickets are drawn before the tickets are sold.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a pool ticket having atleast one number covered by a security device that prevents the numberfrom being viewed until the security device is removed. A group of thepool tickets may be numbered with consecutive serial numbers to preventa ticket from one event from being used in another event. In anotherembodiment, the invention provides a pool ticket having two numberscovered by a security device or a pair of security devices that preventthe numbers from being viewed until the security device is removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary ticket made in accordance withthe concepts of the present invention showing one embodiment of thesecurity device protecting the numbers on the ticket.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the security device removedso that the ticket numbers may be viewed.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an exemplary pool ticket made in accordancewith the concepts of the present invention showing one embodiment of thesecurity device protecting the number on the ticket.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the security device removedso that the ticket number may be viewed.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another exemplary pool ticket made inaccordance with the concepts of the present invention showing anembodiment of the security device protecting the numbers on the ticket.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the secure raffle ticket of the present inventionis indicated generally by the numeral 10 in FIG. 1. Ticket 10 includes abody 12 having a first portion 14 and a second portion 16. Body 12 maydefine a perforated line of separation 18 that allows first portion 14to be readily separated from second portion 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, each portion 14 and 16 includes a number 20. Numbers20 on portions 14 and 16 are related in a known manner. One known manneris to make numbers 20 identical. Another known manner is to make to onenumber 20 a multiple or the result of a defined formula of anothernumber 20. In this situation, an entire series of tickets will have setsof related numbers. As shown in FIG. 1, a security device 30 is disposedover each number 20 to prevent numbers 20 from being viewed beforesecurity devices 30 are removed. Security devices 30 may be in the formof a removable coating that is attached to body 12. Such a coating maybe peeled or scratched from body 12 without removing or damaging numbers20 disposed below devices 30. In this embodiment, devices 30 may be anyof the known scratch-off or peel-off materials that are used to protectthe information on a typical lottery ticket. Each security device 30 maybe a cover that is adhesively connected to body 12 with a peelableadhesive or with stitching about its perimeter. The cover also may beconnected to body 12 with an adhesive disposed only at the perimeter ofthe cover.

Ticket 10 prevents a person from drawing a ticket portion 14 or 16 froma randomly mixed plurality of ticket portions 14 and 16 from viewingnumber 20 before removing ticket portion 14 or 16 from the random mixand removing security device 30.

Ticket 10 also may include a serial number 40 that appears on bothsections 14 and 16. Numbers 40 may be consecutive on a roll or packageof tickets 10 so that the sponsor of the raffle can identify whatnumbers have been sold. Number 20 may function as the serial number.

The secure raffle tickets described above may be used to operate araffle in a unique manner. In accordance with another aspect of theinvention, a raffle operator may select a group of secure raffle ticketsthat define a raffle. For instance, there may be 1,000 tickets withthree defined prizes for the winning tickets. The tickets may be sold at$1 each with the defined prizes being $500 for first prize, $250 forsecond prize, and $50 for third prize. The entire group of tickets (all1,000) are separated into first and second portions with the entiregroup of first portions being randomly mixed and placed in a receptacle.The first prize ticket is drawn from the randomly mixed first portionsand opened with the winning ticket number being recorded in apublically-viewable location so that potential participants know theprize ticket. The second and third place tickets are then drawnaccordingly. After the winning prize tickets are drawn and publicallyannounced, the raffle operator then sells the unopened second portion ofthe raffle ticket to the raffle participants. The raffle participantscan immediately open their second portion to determine if they haveselected a winning ticket. If the ticket is not a winner, theparticipant may choose to buy another ticket. The raffle operator maythus increase its sales using this method of operating the raffle. Thesecurity features of the raffle tickets allow this method to beconducted fairly because no one knows where the winning tickets arelocated until the security features are removed.

A first embodiment of the secure pool ticket of the present invention isindicated generally by the numeral 110 in FIG. 3. Ticket 110 includes abody 112. Body 112 includes a number 120. Number 120 may be a singledigit number used in events with a small number of participants such ahorse race having only nine horses. Number 120 may be a two digit numberand used to identify a participant in an auto race. Number 120 may be athree, four, five, six, or seven digit number depending on how manyparticipants need to be identifies in a given event. In the embodimentof the ticket 111 shown in FIG. 5, two numbers 120 and 121 are shown.These types of tickets 111 are used for events where two teams arescoring points and numbers 120 and 121 are used to represent the scoresof the teams. The numbers may represent the last digit in a two or threedigit score for the team such as in football or basketball pools.

As shown in FIG. 3, a security device 130 is disposed over number 120 toprevent number 120 from being viewed before security device 130 isremoved. Security device 130 may be in the form of a removable coatingthat is attached to body 112. Such a coating may be peeled or scratchedfrom body 112 without removing or damaging number 120 disposed belowdevice 130. In this embodiment, device 130 may be any of the knownscratch-off or peel-off materials that are used to protect theinformation on a typical lottery ticket. Each security device 130 may bea cover that is adhesively connected to body 112 with a peelableadhesive or with stitching about its perimeter. The cover also may beconnected to body 112 with an adhesive disposed only at the perimeter ofthe cover.

Ticket 110 prevents a person from selling or drawing ticket 110 fromviewing number 120 before removing security device 130.

Ticket 110 also may include a serial number 140. Number 140 may beconsecutive on a roll or package of tickets 110 so that the sponsor ofthe pool can identify what numbers have been sold.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is anexample and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown ordescribed.

1. A secure raffle ticket comprising: a ticket body having first andsecond portions; a first number printed on the first portion and asecond number printed on the second portion; and a security deviceconnected to each of the first and second portions; the security devicepreventing the first and second numbers from being viewed until thesecurity devices are removed.
 2. The ticket of claim 1, wherein thefirst number is the same as the second number.
 3. The ticket of claim 1,wherein the body defines a perforated separation line to enable theseparation of the first portion from the second portion.
 4. The ticketof claim 1, wherein the security device is removably attached to thebody of the ticket.
 5. The ticket of claim 4, wherein the securitydevice is not reattachable to the body of the ticket so that it may onlybe used once.
 6. The ticket of claim 1, wherein the security device isan opaque coating removably connected to the body over the numbers. 7.The ticket of claim 1, wherein the security device is a cover connectedto the body about the perimeter of the cover; the cover being opaque andpreventing the number on the body of the ticket from being viewed. 8.The ticket of claim 1, wherein the first number is related to the secondnumber by a defined relationship.
 9. A secure pool ticket comprising: aticket body; a number being printed on the ticket body; and a securitydevice connected to the ticket body; the security device preventing thenumber from being viewed until the security device is removed.
 10. Theticket of claim 9, wherein the security device is removably attached tothe body of the ticket.
 11. The ticket of claim 10, wherein the securitydevice is not reattachable to the body of the ticket so that it may onlybe used once.
 12. The ticket of claim 9, wherein the security device isan opaque coating removably connected to the body over the numbers. 13.The ticket of claim 9, wherein the security device is a cover connectedto the body about the perimeter of the cover; the cover being opaque andpreventing the number on the body of the ticket from being viewed. 14.The ticket of claim 9, wherein the ticket body has two numbers; each ofthe numbers being covered by a security device.
 15. A method ofoperating a raffle comprising the steps of: selecting a group of raffletickets having first and second portions with security features;dividing each of the tickets in the group into first and secondportions; randomly mixing each of the first portions; drawing at leastone winning ticket from the randomly mixed first portions; and sellingthe second portions to participants after the winning ticket is selectedand announced to potential participants.